Building construction



L. KfuAvis.

BU!LDING CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FlLED JULY 31,1917. RENEWED SEPT. 21, 1920.

Patented; Dec. M, T920 UNITE. STATES PATENT QFEICE.

LEWIS K. DAVIS, OF PELHAM, NEW YORK.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.

T 0 all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, Lnwrs K. DAvIs, a citizen of the United States. and resident of Pelham, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Building Constrwtion, of which the following is a specification.

My improvements relate to building constructions, and have particular relation to the dams or stops which are usually employed, in connection with fireproof floor constructions comprising hollow vitrified clay blocks laid end to end a distance apart suiiicient to permit the formation of a concrete beam between said ends, to prevent the concrete plastic from entering the ends of the hollow blocks a greater distance than that desired for the proper formation of such concrete beam in connection with the ends of the blocks for supporting the same.

Building constructions employing dams as above indi'ated are usually involved in fireproof floor structures, such as that shown in my Patents No. 1,107,411, granted August 18, 1914:, and No. 933,163, granted September 7, 1909, and my present improvements are adapted for effective use in relation to the construction of floor structures of the type shown in said patents or similar types of floor structures or analogous structures employing plastic beams intermediate of hollow blocks and intersecting the end portions of the bores or passages thereof.

My present invention also has relation to the production of dams in floor constructions under the conditions as illustrated in my Patent No. 1,017,386, granted February 13, 1912, in which instance removable dams are employed, my present improvements being designed to provide an improved construction and arrangement in which the dams can be economically employed in permanent association with the blocks constituting the structure.

The object of my present improvements is to provide simple means whereby the associate construction of the blocks and dams can be more economically manufactured, whereby building constructions using dams of the character above set forth may be more effectively, rapidly, and conveniently constructed, and which will insure economy in construction and use and possess advantages in point of convenience, effectiveness, and general efliciency.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. list, 1920.

Renewed September 21, 1920. Serial No. 411,815.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view oi a portion of a floor structure, transversely intersecting the intermediate concrete beams, and showing the dams as compr sed 1n my present improvements in operative position. i

Fig. 2 is a detail end view of one o'fthe blocks as employed in the building construction, showing one of the dams in operative position in one of the bores.

Fig. 3 is a detail vertical sectional view, on the longitudinal plane of the block, taken on the line av -w, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view illustrating the dam device.

Fig. 5 is a detail end view, corresponding to Fig. 2, and illustrating a modified construction in the placing of the dams with relation to the block.

Fig. dis a detail vertical sectional View, corresponding to Fig. 3, taken on the line y-y, Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail end view, correspondin to Fig. 2, and illustrating a further modifiec construction .in the relative association of the dams and block. I

Fig. 8 is a detail vertical sectional view, corresponding to Fig. 3, taken on the line e-z, Fig. 7. I

Fig. 9 is a detail end view, corresponding to F 2, and illustrating a further modified construction in the relation of the dams and block.

Fig. 10 is a detail vertical sectional View, corresponding to Fig. 3, taken on the line ww, Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of the dam device related to the modified construction shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view of the dam device related to the modification shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are denoted by the same reference characters.

In the type of floor construction to which my improvements are related, as herein illustrated, the hollow buildin blocks are provided with a plurality OI internal longitudinal passages or bores and are laid in parallel series with their opposite ends a sufficient distance apart to permit the tormation of a supporting beam of concreate or other hardening plastic or ceinentitious material which extends transversely of the parallel blocks, the construction being such that the blocks will form matrices for the plastic to connect the blocks into a ri id associate structure. For a more detai ed understanding of the type oi building constructions proper to which my invention is related, reference may be had to my above mentioned Patents No. 1,107,411 and No. 933,163, which respectively show types of such structures.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the building block, 2 the plurality of inter nal longitudinal passages or bores therein, and 3 the intermediate concrete beams, the side walls or the passages or bores 2 being provided with suitable ribs, 4, for engaging the portions of the concreatebeams 3 which enter at the ends of said passages.

The vitrified clay blocks which are employed in structures of the type to which my invention relates are produced in a continuous length issuing from a clay diepress and cut into the separate lengths of the respective blocks. This continuous length method of production is essential to the conditions of economy in manufacture, and all the ribs or projections at the interior walls of the bores or at the exterior surfaces of such blocks therefore extend longitudinally of the block, the desideratum of economical manufacture being that no additional structural variation or modification in the condition of the block as it issues in a continuous length from the die-press will be required after the separate lengths of blocks are cut and before they are burned in the kiln. The blocks, as preferably employed in the structure to which my improvements relate, therefore have the internal ribs 4 extending lon itudinally from end to end of the block. in the associate construction, the dam devices are placed in the ends of the passages or bores 2 of the block, to limit and mold the' portion of the plastic or the beams 3 which enters the end of the block, and the dams are preferably positioned at an incline from top to bottom, as herein shown, so that the intermediate concrete beams 3 will be of a form substantially T-shaped in cross-section, which form insures a higher ei'iiciency in the oflice of the beam to support and connect the blocks in a rigid structure.

The blocks 1 may be in general of any suitable or adapted construction, having, in the type of associate construction illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the interior longitudinal ribs 4 projecting from the opposite walls of the bore 2 and located near the top of the bore.

The dams, as comprised in my present improvements, are constituted by a plate, preferably metallic, and are adapted to be con veniently and readily inserted respectively in the ends of the bores of the block and maintain their operative position therein by engagement therewith while the plastic beam 3 is being laid or set. The dam device, 5, is thus of extremely simple and inexpensive construction, being constituted merely by a single plate cut and bent into form, and in the construction as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the plate has its top end bent at an angle, as at 6, to its main portion, and is provided in its side edges immediately beneath said bend, with recesses or notches, 7-7, which may be conveniently formed by simply cutting away the plate, to receive and accommodate the internal ribs 4 of the block when the dam is placed and mounted in position. In practice, under the associate construction as just described, it is simply necessary to slide the dam plate in the end of the bore oi? the block to the operative positionshown in Figs. 1 and 3, which movement is permitted with relation to the longitudinal interior ribs 4 by the edge recesses 7, in which position the top. end portion 6 of the plate will rest in horizontal position upon the top faces of the opposite interior ribs 4 and the main portion will extend downwardly in inclined position from said point of support to approximately the bot tom edge of the end opening of the bore 2. It will be understood that the plate 5 is imperforate and that in its area it corresponds substantially to the transverse and vertical area of the bore and thus constitutes virtually a complete closure thereof to prevent the cementitious material of the plastic beam from entering the bores of'the block beyond the point of location of the dam.

Means are provided to limit the positional insertion of the dam plate within the bore, whereby its slidable movement upon the longitudinal interior ribs 4 will be regulated and its position will be maintained at the desired point within the end of the block. The simple and preferred means for this purpose is provided by a perforation, as at 8, in the top wall of the bore of the block, at a suitable point (preferably on the median or central line of the bore, in the associate construction as illustrated in Figs. 1. 2 and 3), in which is inserted or dropped a suitable headed pin, 9, the bottom projecting end of which will bear against the top rear edge of the dam plate and thus lock the lat ter against further inward movement within the block. 7 The associate construction of both the den devices and the block, as comprised in my present invention, is not only exceedingly simple and inexpensive, but further economy is effected in manufacture and in the practical building of the floor structure in that the improved dam constructionis adapted to employment in connection. with ordinary types of clay building blocks as produced from a continuous length issuingirom a clay die-press,'without modification of the initial structure'of the block thus produced other than the formation of the small perfothe bottom of the bore of the-block and the dam plate is inserted in corresponding inclined position with its bent or angular end portion 6 extending horizontally beneath the interior ribs, in which condition of associate arrangement the key pin 9'will bear against the end edge of the main portion of the dam plate, which is then at the top of the bore, as shown in Fig. 6..

Inthe modifiedtype of construction illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 11, the conditions of associate arrangement are operatively the same as those hereinbefore described, under the structural variation in the block and dam plate. In this modified type, the. longitudinal internal supporting or engaging ribs 4 of the block are provided respectively in the respective bores at the median or central.

line of the bore and. projecting from the top wall thereof in substantially T-form. in cross-section,the support or engagement for the upper end ofthe dam plate being thus provided by the wings, 10-10, of the T- head at opposite sides of the stem. The dam plate 5 in this modified construction has a recess or notch 7 provided at its central or median line and corresponding to the crosssection of the T-headof the longitudinal rib, at a point immediately below the top bent end 6, as at 11, and an extensionof said recess or notch through said bent end portion 6 and corresponding to the stem of the T- rib, as at 12. In the relative conditions of this modified arrangement, the key-pin perforations 8 are formed at opposite sides of the median internal longitudinal T-rib 4, as shown in Fig. 7. The operatlve associatlon of the dam and block is'thus substantially the same in this modified construction; as in the construction illustrated in Figs. 2' and 3.

It will be understood that the type of relative construction as illustrated in Figs. 7,8 and 11, may be employed in reversed position, with the T-rib 4 at the bottom of the bore, in thesame manner as that here-- inbefore described and shown in Figs. 5 and 6 with respect to the type of construction illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

The modified type of construction which I have herein illustrated in Figs. 9, 10 and 12 is designed as a simplification of the general features of my invention and improvements and is operative in substantially the;

same mannerand association as the constructions hereinbefore described. This simplifiedtype eliminates the recesses or notches.

inthe dam plate 5 and also thekey-pin pet forationsin the block and the employment of the key pins, and the only structural variation. required in the block is that the ends of the longitudinally-extending internal I'i'bS;-4 are cut away internallyof'the borea distance: corresponding to the degree ofinsertionof the dam plate. Under this'associate construction, the dam plate does not slide upon or pass beyond the projective extent of the internal ribs of the block, in its insertion to operative position, but is merely inserted in the end of the bore with its bent top end resting upon the terminal end por. tion of the rib where it is cutaway, as at 14:, and the end of the rib forms a stop against further passage of the plate within the bore and for. sustaining the operative position of the dam, as shown in Fig. 10.

The advantages and operation relating to my improvements will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains. The entire essential conditions of structure, both in the blocks and dams, are exceedingly simple and inexpensive, and the dams can be read: ily and conveniently inserted to operative position without any excess manipulation or labor, andwill effectively maintain their, positional status and serve the purposes and offices, for which they are employed during the construction of the plastic concrete beams which intervene between the opposite ends of the blocks in building constructions of the type to which my invention relates. Theimproved associate construction further avoids any variation in the structural condition of the blocks issued from a clay diepress, except in the instance of the modification shown in Figs. 9 and 10, in which latter instance it is only necessary to cutaway portions of the internal longitudinal ribs, an operation which can be quickly and economica-lly effected.

I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the detail features nor to the detail construction and arrangement of structural parts as herein described and shown, as it is manifest that variations and modifications therein maybe resorted to, in the adaptation of my invention to varying conditions of use, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and iming" positioned with their adjacent ends. spaced apartto permit the formationof an intermediate beam of hardening plastic eX- tending into said interior passages of the blocks, a block having interior ribs within said body passage or bore and extending in the longitudinal plane thereof and projecting-laterally from the interior walls of said 7 of said body passage of the block the dam plate being contained. entirely within said block passage and having its mam portion beyond said turned end extending as a closure in the block iassa e back of the o en end thereof, to limit the entrance therein of the plastic.

2. in a building construction comprising hollow blocks having internal passages open at their ends, the blocks being positioned with their adjacent ends spaced apart to permit the formation of an intermediate beam of hardening plastic extending into the interior passages of the blocks, the combination, with a block having internal ribs projecting laterally from the wall of its passage or bore and located inside thereof, of a fiat dam plate having one end turned at an angle to its main portion and inserted between said lateral wall ribs and the wall of the passage or bore, and means within the passage or bore and PIOJQOHVG laterally from the wall thereof back of the end edge of the dam plate and operative as a stop against the positional insertion of the dam plate within the passage, said dam plate being mounted and supported by its turned end in inclined position and contained en I tirely within the block passage to limit the entrance of said plastic therein.

3. In a building construction comprising hollow blocks having passages open at their ends, the blocks being positioned with their adjacent ends spacedapart to permit the formation of an intermediate beam of hardening plastic extending into the interior rear of the dam plate and engaging therewith to limit the positional insertion of the dam plate within the passages, whereby the dam plate is mounted in inclined position in the block passage to limit the entrance of said plastic therein. I

4. In a building construction comprising hollow blocks having internal passages open at their ends, the blocks being positioned with their adj acent' ends spaced apart to permit the formation of an intermediate beam of hardening plastic extending into the interior passages of the blocks, the combination, with a block having internal ribs extending longitudinally and projecting laterally from the ivall'of its passage .Or' bore "and located inside thereof, of a fiat dam vplate having one end turned at an angle to its main portion and inserted between said lateral wall ribs and the wall of the passage or bore, the edges of the plate adjacent said turned end being provided with recesses or notches conforming to the cross-section of said internal longitudinal rib, whereby the dam plate is slidably insertible within the block passage or bore, said dam plate mounted and supported by its turned end in inclined position and contained entirely within the block-passage to limit the entrance of said plastic therein. 5. In a building construction comprisinghollow blocks having internal passages'open at their ends, the blocks being positioned with their adjacent ends spaced apart to permit the formation of an intermediate beam of hardening plastic extending into the interior passages of the blocks, the combination, with a block having internal ribs extending longitudinally and projecting laterally from the wall of its passage or bore and located inside thereof, of a flat dam plate having one end turned at an angle to itsmain portion and inserted between said lateral wall ribs'and the wall of the passage or bore, the edges of the plate adjacent said turned end being provided with recesses' or notches conforming to the cross-section of said internal longitudinal rib, and means within the passage'or bore and projective" laterally from the wall thereof back ofthe 105 end edge'of the dam plate and operative as a stop against the positional insertion of the dam plate within the passage, whereby the dam plate is slidably insertible within the block passage 'or bore and is mounted and supported by its turned end in inclined position and contained entirely within the block'passage to'limit the entrance of said plastic therein.

6. In a building construction comprising hollow blocks having'passages open at their ends, the blocks being positioned with their adjacent ends spaced apart to permit the formation of an intermediate beam of hardening plastic extending into'the interior passages of the blocks, the combination, with p a block having internal ribs extending longitudi'nally and projecting from the wall of its passage or bore, of a dam plate having an'end portion at an angle to its main portion and engaging with said internal ribs and provided with recesses or notches conforming to the'cross section of the rib, and I i a stop pin projectingthrough the wall of the blooktpassage inrear of thedam plate and engaging therewith to limit the positional insertion of the dam plate within the passage, whereby the dam plate is slidably insertible Within the block passage or bore and mounted in inclined position t limit the entrance of said plastic therein.

7. In a building construction comprising hollow blocks having internal body passages or bores open at their ends, the blocks being positioned with their adjacent ends spaced apart to permit the formation of an intermediate beam of hardening plastic extending into said interior passages of the blocks, a block having interior ribs within said body passage or bore and extending in the longitudinal plane thereof and projecting laterally from the interior walls of said passage, said ribs terminating at a point within the open end of said block passage or bore and forming a seat or support entirely contained within said body passage, in combination with a dam plate having one end turned atan angle to its main portion and supported by said rib-seat at a point back of the open end of said body passage of the block, the dam plate being contained entirely within said block passage and having its main portion extending in inclined position from said turned supporting end and forming a closure in the block passage back of the open end thereof, to limit the entrance therein of the plastic.

8. A building block comprising a hollow body having internal passages open at the end and provided with an internal rib projecting laterally from the wall of the passage and located inside thereof, a fiat dam plate having one end turned at an angle to its main portion and inserted between said wall rib and the wall of the passage or bore, and means within the passage or bore and projective laterally from the wall thereof back of the end edge of the dam plate and operative as a stop against the positional insertion of the dam plate within the passage.

9. A building block comprising a hollow body having passages open at the end and provided with an internal rib projecting from the wall of the passage and having a perforation or opening in said wall, a dam plate having an end portion extending at an angle to its main portion and projecting between the rib and block wall, and a stop pin projecting through said wall opening in rear of the dam plate and engaging therewith to limit the positional insertion of the dam plate within the passage.

10. A building block comprising a hollow body having internal passages open at the end and provided with an internal rib extending longitudinally and projecting from the wall of the passage and located inside thereof, and a dam plate having one end turned at an angle to its main portion and inserted between said wall rib and the wall of the passage or bore, the edges of the plate adjacent said turned end being provided with recesses or notches conforming to the cross-section of said internal longitudinal rib, said dam plate being mounted in inclined position and contained entirely within the block passage and being supported by engagement of its turned end which is projective with relation to said rib.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name in the presence of the subscribing witnesses.

LEWIS K. DAVIS. Witnesses:

HENRIETTA Honowrrz, LILLIAN L. PFIST'ER. 

